Thank you for the support and warmth you gave us! Thank you for the opportunity to study English. Thanks to this, I found a new job and many new acquaintances! This course has been a part of my life for almost 3 years, thank you very much to you, our teachers, sponsors and everyone who has been involved.
Yuliia Maltseva
What is English4Refugees?
English4Refugees (E4R) is a not-for-profit initiative providing free, high-quality English courses to refugees in Estonia. Launched in Spring 2022 as a volunteer life-skills project in Tallinn, E4R has grown into a year-round programme run by International Language Services OÜ (ILS) with the support of a dedicated team of volunteer teachers, donors and partner organisations.
Since its launch, more than 350 refugees from the war in Ukraine have benefitted from E4R’s courses – progressing from absolute beginner to advanced English levels and gaining the skills needed to integrate, study and work in Estonia.
Who We Support
Our students are women who arrived in Estonia with children or elderly relatives after fleeing the war in Ukraine. They are registered refugees and form a vulnerable group who often must take low-paid work out of necessity.
By improving their English, students can move into better jobs, start or join businesses, access further training, and build a more secure future for themselves and their families. For those who eventually return to Ukraine, these skills will be vital in an increasingly international, west-facing economy.
Our Aims
We focus on three core goals:
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Improve English skills – from beginner to upper-intermediate (B2).
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Develop employability – teach the language and skills needed to apply for jobs and work in English-speaking environments.
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Prepare for qualifications – help students gain internationally recognised English certifications (e.g. Cambridge, IELTS, LanguageCert).
What Students Can Expect
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Free group courses (Beginner–B2) delivered twice a week across two 15-week semesters (September–May).
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180 hours of guided learning per year plus supervised self-study, exam preparation, business culture and job-seeking skills.
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Extra weekly practice sessions with volunteer teachers at no additional cost.
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In 2025/26 at least 10 groups (with up to 10 students each) in Tallinn plus online options reaching students across Estonia.
Measurable Outcomes
For 2025/26 our targets include:
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Enrolling at least 100 students across 10 groups with an average attendance of 75% or more.
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80% of students advancing at least one CEFR level; 50% taking an international English exam.
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At least 50% of students reporting improved job opportunities; 30% entering further education or training.